Warm spell adds spice to JN Nichols

WARM weather and a television advertising campaign helped boost interim profits at JN Nichols (Vimto) 9.6 per cent to pounds 3.53m after it achieved record UK sales of Vimto, the spicy fruit drink that is its flagship brand.

But John Nichols, managing director, remained 'mildly cautious' about prospects for the year as a whole. 'The spell of good weather has mitigated the effects of the continuing recession on our main areas of business,' he said, adding that year-end results should be satisfactory if second- half trading went as expected.

Turnover rose 4 per cent to pounds 23.6m to 30 June, although there was a reduction of pounds 2.6m at Solent Canners after demand for contract canning fell.

Exports to the Middle East and Africa represented about 6 per cent of total sales.

The interim dividend, at 5.1p, was up 11 per cent.